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The Wildwood Way by Cliff Seruntine

If you are looking to embark on an adventure in the wild or you are already an enthusiast, this is an important book to pick up.

Author: Cliff Seruntine

Title: The Wildwood Way: Spiritual Growth In The Heart Of Nature

Paperback: 456 pages

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications,U.S.

Publishing Date: 8 Nov. 2015

Genre: Mind, Body, & Spirit

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Reviewer: ‘Yomi ‘Segun Stephen

Review Rating: 4(Good)

Synopsis

Discover the profound inspiration of a life lived in truly wild places. Author Cliff Seruntine and his family have lived their lives in the wilderness—homesteading, hunting and gathering, farming, and treading lightly on the land while honoring its spirits. Let Cliff's graceful pen lead you to a deeper understanding of Nature's magic as he shows you practical bushcraft skills such as woodland navigation, wild food foraging, tracking, herbalism, camouflage, and much more.

The true stories in the book have powerful truths at their heart. In these pages you will read tales of bear and deer, of towering maples and mysterious brooks, of the spiritual forces to be found outdoors. The best way to come to the fullness of Nature's truths is to become a part of the adventure.

Review:

If you have ever been stranded and alone in an old forest at midnight or dusk, you wouldn’t think twice before agreeing with anyone who proclaims it a place where unknown creatures roam and age-old entities hold watch. I have always found such places eerie, with a touch of danger and an unseeing eye watch your every move. For these reasons and more, I do respect forests - old and new. We can learn a lot from wild lands as they have a lot to teach about life. They also deserve caution and respect as they inhabit forces humans know little or nothing about.

The Wildwood Way celebrates this mystery by giving tips on survival and life lessons about our forest and woodlands. The author, with many examples, gives pointers that will help you notice beneficial or risky situations that will keep you alive in what can be unforgiving environments.

On being able to watch animals and bird unobtrusively, he says:

“Of great importance is learning to be still. If you want to observe wildlife unobtrusively, you need to become just another log or stone or tree trunk ... I have been still for so long that songbirds have alighted on my shoulder and once a ruffled grouse walked up to me and began to peck wild seed that had gathered on my boots as I stood in a meadow.

“Learn to make use of the land. Animals, with their keen eyes but brains that are less adept at discerning gestalts, are very good at picking out outlines that do not belong but not so good at finding those outlines if they are enveloped by the background.”

The author also give hints on the usefulness of a good knife when out in the woods, the importance of recognising safe supply of sustenance, and how to recognise animal tracks.

Of course, I am not subscribed to the author’s shamanic concepts, however, The Wildwood Way is packed with valuable tips and instructions based on the author’s years of experience.

Conclusion:

If you are looking to embark on an adventure in the wild or you are already an enthusiast, this is an important book to pick up.